Guy had his ZX-6R stolen --craigslist "test" drive

dubbs · 05-20-2009, 02:48 PM

But what if you're selling something like 15k, do you really expect the person to bring 15k in cash with them?

Homeslice · 05-20-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubbs

But what if you're selling something like 15k, do you really expect the person to bring 15k in cash with them?

plusone

If someone told me I had to fork over cash before test riding it, I'd tell them to fuck off. Yeah, like I'm really gonna carry that much cash with me, and then give it to a stranger without any contract signed. Right.

The way to do it is meet at a bank's parking lot. He'll get his cash, but only after I agree to buy it.

Rider · 05-20-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubbs

But what if you're selling something like 15k, do you really expect the person to bring 15k in cash with them?

Yes or at the very minimum a cashiers check or money order. Or if you'd rather wire the money to my account I'd accept that too.

wildchild · 05-20-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubbs

But what if you're selling something like 15k, do you really expect the person to bring 15k in cash with them?

no, but they better have something of value I can hold(like the car they drove up in)I don't need the keys but the car is staying here. Otherwise a drivers license. Basically I don't let people test drive bikes when I sell them. I never ask to test drive them when I buy one used. If it's a car I'm riding with you while you test it.
If you don't like the rules for sale, walk away. I haven't missed a meal yet due to not selling an item.

marko138 · 05-20-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rider

Yeah, no test rides unless you have CASH in hand and I get to hold the cash while you ride. People suck, I act accordingly and prepare myself for the worst.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon

I've sold quite a few bikes and cars over the years mostly through craigslist.

I never let anyone come to my home. I'll meet you at a gas station or parking lot. No test drives unless I have all the cash. I always have someone with me and my trusty 9mm just in case. I never take anything except cash.

Never had any problems following those rules.

These are two dudes who have their shit together.

azoomm · 05-21-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildchild

Basically I don't let people test drive bikes when I sell them. I never ask to test drive them when I buy one used. If it's a car I'm riding with you while you test it.

If you don't like the rules for sale, walk away. I haven't missed a meal yet due to not selling an item.

That's what I do. I don't understand what the need is for a test ride on a motorcycle. It runs or it doesn't. It's pretty obvious if something is wrong with it.

The arrangements shouldn't ever be a surprise. I'll let someone know they don't get to ride it - at that point they can choose to show up or not. It's not that difficult. I don't understand why people get so pussy hurt over some common sense being applied. Don't take it personally, it's business...

fasternyou929 · 05-21-2009, 10:13 AM

I guess I was lucky to buy from the person I did. I bought a 1000RR with 88 miles on it off e-Bay (sent him a few hundred to end the auction until I could come look at it).

I met him at his house, took the bike for a test ride, met his wife and kids, bullshitted a while and had a beer with the guy. Came back the next week with a check and took my (almost new) bike home.

Had he asked me to meet him in some empty parking lot and give him $10k+ cash to ride the bike, I would have a different bike now.

wildchild · 05-21-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

I guess I was lucky to buy from the person I did. I bought a 1000RR with 88 miles on it off e-Bay (sent him a few hundred to end the auction until I could come look at it).

I met him at his house, took the bike for a test ride, met his wife and kids, bullshitted a while and had a beer with the guy. Came back the next week with a check and took my (almost new) bike home.

Had he asked me to meet him in some empty parking lot and give him $10k+ cash to ride the bike, I would have a different bike now.

that's funny isn't it. when you look at it from the other side it seems so cold. unfortunately there are lots of bad people out there. luckily for you, you had someone who had never been burrned to deal with. luckily for him, he had an honest person with real intentions of buying to deal with.
there's good and bad on both sides, personally I've lost a couple thousand by trusting people. I got it back eventually but it's not worth my time or money to try and avoid hurting people's feelings these days.
Glad your's worked out for you. nice bike.

Rider · 05-21-2009, 10:48 AM

I don't mind people coming to my house. I have no worries about that. All I ask for is a little collateral before I let you leave my driveway. Hell when I sold my last dirt bike, the guy didn't even ride it. He looked at it, I started it up for him and he bought it. I even let him use my PC to send me the money via paypal before he left my house. You can't be too careful because in my book everyone is shady until proven otherwise.

OTB · 05-21-2009, 11:26 AM

I sell an average of a bike a month. That means I meet strangers 2-3 times per month. Never at my home. I meet them at a storage area I have for bikes...but I get there early and have the bike outside the gated area...so they don't know my unit #.

I tell them on the phone or e-mail when setting up the meet:

A. No MC endorsement on their DL, I dont care how many friend's bikes they've ridden...no test ride.
B. No DL...no test ride. You "left it at home"? Too bad.
C. Full price Cash in MY Hand or no test ride. DL and keys to their car in my hand or no test ride.
D. I don't take cashiers checks...cash only. Yes, people do FORGE cashiers checks try to pass stolen traveller's checks and if it's after hours (95% of the time)I have no way to verify the check's validity...cash is not only king, it's the ONLY way I do business.
F. Like Leon, I always have a "contingency plan" when meeting strangers.

You don't like my rules, too bad. Haven't lost a bike yet. Some sellers balk.....

I sold new cars for a while in my misspeant youth; during that time, one of the other salesman was carjacked in broad daylight by a "customer" who pointed a gun at his face during the testride and told him to get out; the "customer" then used the $30,000 conversion van to rob a bank....

I was giving a testride to another guy, who suddenly floored it; we're screaming down the highway at 100+, me screaming at the dude...him ignoring me till I hit him in the head a half dozen times and turned the ignition off.. I literally had to beat the crap out him to get him out of the car, and he called the cops on me by the time I got back to the dealership.......

05-20-2009, 02:48 PM	#1
dubbs Multistrada Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manorville, NY Posts: 653	But what if you're selling something like 15k, do you really expect the person to bring 15k in cash with them? __________________ Sportbike - 2013 Ducati Multistrada S Touring - Red Luxury Car - 2013 Cadillac ATS 2.0 Turbo - Black Weekend Car - 2003 Honda S2000 - Black Daily Driver - 2011 Toyota Prius - Black Beater - 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid - Dust Colored

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05-21-2009, 10:13 AM	#7
fasternyou929 SFL Expatriate #2 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Moto: CBR1000 Posts: 2,043	I guess I was lucky to buy from the person I did. I bought a 1000RR with 88 miles on it off e-Bay (sent him a few hundred to end the auction until I could come look at it). I met him at his house, took the bike for a test ride, met his wife and kids, bullshitted a while and had a beer with the guy. Came back the next week with a check and took my (almost new) bike home. Had he asked me to meet him in some empty parking lot and give him $10k+ cash to ride the bike, I would have a different bike now.

05-21-2009, 10:48 AM	#9
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	I don't mind people coming to my house. I have no worries about that. All I ask for is a little collateral before I let you leave my driveway. Hell when I sold my last dirt bike, the guy didn't even ride it. He looked at it, I started it up for him and he bought it. I even let him use my PC to send me the money via paypal before he left my house. You can't be too careful because in my book everyone is shady until proven otherwise.

05-21-2009, 11:26 AM	#10
OTB The Man Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CrabTown USA Moto: 00 Bimota DB4 Posts: 823	I sell an average of a bike a month. That means I meet strangers 2-3 times per month. Never at my home. I meet them at a storage area I have for bikes...but I get there early and have the bike outside the gated area...so they don't know my unit #. I tell them on the phone or e-mail when setting up the meet: A. No MC endorsement on their DL, I dont care how many friend's bikes they've ridden...no test ride. B. No DL...no test ride. You "left it at home"? Too bad. C. Full price Cash in MY Hand or no test ride. DL and keys to their car in my hand or no test ride. D. I don't take cashiers checks...cash only. Yes, people do FORGE cashiers checks try to pass stolen traveller's checks and if it's after hours (95% of the time)I have no way to verify the check's validity...cash is not only king, it's the ONLY way I do business. F. Like Leon, I always have a "contingency plan" when meeting strangers. You don't like my rules, too bad. Haven't lost a bike yet. Some sellers balk..... I sold new cars for a while in my misspeant youth; during that time, one of the other salesman was carjacked in broad daylight by a "customer" who pointed a gun at his face during the testride and told him to get out; the "customer" then used the $30,000 conversion van to rob a bank.... I was giving a testride to another guy, who suddenly floored it; we're screaming down the highway at 100+, me screaming at the dude...him ignoring me till I hit him in the head a half dozen times and turned the ignition off.. I literally had to beat the crap out him to get him out of the car, and he called the cops on me by the time I got back to the dealership.......